We wrote our first handbook in August 2024, right after our first big event. Our minds were heavily at work imagining what it would all be like: our token and shift systems, balancing the yin and yang workshops and vibes, the involvement of members and coworkers, the vibe and how to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere while at the same time inviting people into a responsible way of using the space. Same for the articles of the ASBL Citizen Spring and what we imagined would be needed as a back-office infrastructure.
Now, 1.5 years into the project, I am very excited to share that we have changed absolutely everything along the way. Theory, ideology, ideas have met... real-life humans and community building 🙂 — and everyday operations, dirty dishes, people coming and going, calendar clashes, human messiness and conflict, a gazillion questions from people actually using the space, joining us, sometimes leaving. We have been in the mud, knee-deep, hands very dirty. Building with continuous waves and cycles 👩🏻🌾
And the harvest is rich. The calendar filling up. The relationships real. The smiles genuine. The frustrations sometimes too. The ecosystem is growing, slowly but surely, and people and organisations are coming back. We have attracted more teachers, too. Elinor Ostrom stays close, with her 8 principles, but also steward ownership, fair share commons, regenerative leadership, sociocracy (check out our training on April 16th), deep democracy, the work of Bernard Lietaer and Charles Eisenstein, and communities like the global Vipassana community (their self-organising systems are quite epic) are daily inspirations to our project.
Out of all of that, something new is taking shape. With the deep involvement of so many courageous commoners, we seem to have created healthy soil for a new, deeper design to emerge. A design that will answer: "How do we build our urban common to be purpose-driven, built to last, governed by its active stewards?" This was also the topic of the second National Gathering of the Commons, which we organised, with speakers Peter de Pauw (Steward Ownership), Olivier Beys (Tournevie — Brussels, shared tool library - ), Greet Vos (Flanders, shared land - Commaan ), Xavier Marichal (Wallonia, shared space Quatre Quarts) and Tine De Moor (Collectieve Kracht) (see picture).
A core insight that emerged from that day: much of the long-term thinking happens in the deep design of a project — the architecture of your legal structure (coop, non-profit, for-profit or something else), weaving in steward ownership principles where they fit, choosing decision-making processes and governance models that serve your project's north star, and continually realigning the people who steward with that guiding vision. Holding the ever shifting balance between emergence and safety, structure and movement. What is here right now, and what do we want for the future? Yin and Yang.
The Commons Hub purpose is both expanding and deepening. We keep contributing to redeveloping and relearning the commons by offering a physical space as a shared resource for a committed community of members who are all crew. We will also begin developing our fiscal hosting services for members and initiatives bringing the future closer to the present — those in need of a shared legal infrastructure. In this way we will effectively become an incubator for new commons projects, offering space and back-office support for those who need it. And, of course, support and education on the commons and all the skills needed to thrive in community. Check out our calendar for meetups, trainings and workshops.
With this new path, we are also looking at diversifying our revenue models (see last year's newsletter on regenerative business models) and creating greater value for the growing number of help requests we receive. Community is immunity. Resilience and sustainable support is what we aim for.
On May 31st, we are celebrating our second anniversary, and we will hold our yearly General Assembly with renewed statutes, a new name for the non-profit, and new board members.
Feel invited!
We publish all events on this calendar. As we build our calendar, we always look for balance and connection — between the Tech Lab’s creative use of technology, the Inner Lab’s focus on sharing and belonging, and the Systems Lab’s exploration of new ways of organising a society together. Each space feeds the others, bringing diversity, exchange, and cross-pollination into our shared community.
Our events circle around
🌀INNER LAB: inner development, connection, rituals and intimate workshops
🌎 SYSTEMS LAB: system change, democracy, building a regenerative society & economy
🤖TECH LAB: tech & tooling, coding, software development
FUN LAB: standup comedy, board games, concerts and other fun
Feel warmly invited to reach out if you'd like to organise an event at the Commons Hub. 👉🏼 hello@commonshub.brussels
When you become a member you enjoy priority access for using the space and receive discounts on the events happening at the Commons Hub.
📅 Every Thursday April 2, 10:30 | RSVP | ENG/FR
#inner #wellbeing
A recurring somatic session inviting participants to listen to the body as a source of insight. Ecotherapist: member Isabelle Duarte in the Angel Room.
📅 Every Thursday April 2, 14:30 | RSVP | ENG/FR
#inner #wellbeing
Relaxation sessions focused on nervous-system reset and mental clarity through Access Bars practice. By energetic healer and member Regina D'Gaia.
📅 Thursday April 2, 18:00| RSVP | ENG #AI #tech #governance A gathering of the Brussels AGI Collective exploring how Europe can attract, develop and retain AI talent. Expect lively conversation and a sharp European lens on a global challenge. By member Tom Dugnoille
📅 April 3, 17:00-19:00 | RSVP | ENG/FR/NL
#community #nature #movement
An afterwork walk tracing the hidden path of the Senne river through Brussels. A chance to reconnect with the city and each other at the end of the day. By member Alain Vereecke.
📅 Saturdays, 09:30 | RSVP | ENG
#community #movement
Start your weekend with an energising social run to connect with fellow builders. All paces welcome — finish with coffee and good conversation. By Founders Running Club, iurii platonenko & member Cedric Sounard.
📅 Sunday April 12 , 14:00 | RSVP | ENG
Part 2 on Sunday April 26
#inner #wellbeing
A facilitated two-part workshop creating space to process grief — personally and collectively. A rare and courageous offering. By Vanessa Goodman.
📅 Thursday April 16 | RSVP | ENG
#governance #commons #facilitation
A full day with renowned sociocracy teacher Ted Rau, exploring how organisations can share power, make decisions more effectively and build resilient structures for collaboration. Expect practical tools, real examples and a space to rethink governance for the commons. By Ted Rau: author of Many voices, one Song
📅 Thursday April 16 [time] | RSVP | ENG
#tech #education
The second session in this hands-on series for learning Python through game-building. By member Marlene Marchena.
📅 Thursday April 17th, 14:00 | RSVP | ENG #inner #wellbeing #movement
When the world feels overwhelming — constant information, climate anxiety, political tension — it's not just in your head. Your nervous system is overloaded. This session uses movement, breath and somatic practices to help you regulate in real time, shift from overwhelm to grounded presence, and reconnect with your own internal resources. By member Diana Socoliuc. Free for members (donations in tokens), donation-based for externals.
📅 Saturday April 19th, 14:00 | RSVP | ENG
#AI #tech
A half-day hackathon hosted at the Commons Hub. The challenge: identify an everyday problem, solve it, cut friction by 10 — and monetise it. Expect an opening talk by Sandro Zangiacomi (Stripe) on subscription models, agentic commerce and machine payments, followed by 6 hours of focused building, then pitches, pizza and judging. Teams of 1 to 3. Prizes include Stripe Press books. Presented by Ingram Technologies. By member Cedric Sounard, Jerome Leclanche, Stripe Community
📅 Monday April 20th, 18:00 | RSVP | FR
#climate #food #systems
Une lecture collective de la BD d'Hugo Clément, Le Paradoxe de l'Abondance — en petits groupes, suivie d'une mise en commun et d'un débat. Une façon douce et vivante d'explorer les alternatives au modèle agricole et de consommation actuel, et d'augmenter nos pouvoirs d'agir. En coöperation avec la Zinne et Financité
📅 Thursday April 23rd, 18:00| RSVP | ENG
#AI #tech #langchain
The fifth edition of the Brussels LangChain Meetup — a community gathering for developers building with LangChain and AI agents. Share a project, a code snippet or a lightning talk, or simply come to connect with fellow builders. Basic Python knowledge and familiarity with Jupyter notebooks required. By member Manuel Pueyo.
📅 Friday April 24, 09:00 | RSVP | ENG
#community #coworking
A collaborative coworking day for people drawn to teal and regenerative ways of working. By member Alain Vereecke.
📅 Kick off session: Friday April 25th, 10:00 | RSVP | ENG
#inner #wellbeing #learning
A 10-week guided programme for people navigating uncertainty and redesigning their lives toward something more meaningful, grounded and sustainable. The kick-off is an in-person meet-up at the Commons Hub to set intentions and meet your fellow travellers. Designed for freelancers, changemakers, people inside organisations questioning their path, or anyone asking: what does a good life look like now? The full journey combines self-paced learning adventures, interactive workshops, and optional peer pods. Facilitated by Anna Zanghi.
📅 Saturday April 26th, 10:30 | RSVP | ENG #inner #wellbeing #movement
Feeling tired even when nothing is "wrong"? This somatic movement workshop is designed to help you reset body and nervous system — releasing what is stagnant, softening what is holding, and returning to balance. You'll leave with a clearer sense of energy, focus and inner calm. Bring comfortable clothes, a journal and a water bottle. Snacks and tea provided. By Diana Socoliuc.
📅 Wednesday May 6th, 10:00 | RSVP | ENG
#tech #web3 #coworking
A recurring gathering for people working in or exploring crypto and web3. Combine coworking, informal exchange and conversations about decentralised technology.
📅 Wednesday May, 10:00 | ENG
#AI #tech
A coworking day dedicated to working with and on AI tools — bring your projects, your questions and your curiosity.
Join us at our space – whether you're a freelancer, a team, or an organization!
Interested in a community-led co-working space? We’d love to welcome you! Come by to try it out for a day or join us for our Friday potluck community lunch. More info about memberships here.
Need a meeting room for your team or an event venue? We’re here to make your gathering a great experience, offering the support you need to make it memorable for you and your guests. More info about our spaces.
Wishing you all well and looking forward to meeting you in the space! 🧡 written by Leen
Connect with us via email hello@commonshub.brussels to continue the conversation!To stay up-to-date on our latest news and events, make sure to follow us on Lu.ma, LinkedIn, Facebook. Or join us on Discord.